Robert F Kennedy Jr faces mounting pressure to resign as health secretary after his controversial leadership triggered a mass exodus at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The chaos erupted when Kennedy fired CDC director Susan Monarez, prompting four other top officials to immediately quit the agency.
Kennedy dismissed Monarez after she refused to sign off on his proposed changes to vaccine policy. The fired director has now filed a lawsuit claiming Kennedy is "weaponising public health for political gain and putting millions of American lives at risk", according to The i.
Mass resignations rock health agency
The departing officials include Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry and Demetre Daskalakis, leaving critical leadership gaps across the agency. Jim O'Neill, a former investment executive with no medical background, is now temporarily leading the CDC.
Channel4 reports that Monarez refused to cross two specific "red lines": acting illegally by firing officials without cause and acting unscientifically on vaccine recommendations. Her resistance to Kennedy's demands ultimately led to her dismissal.
Vaccine policy restrictions implemented
Kennedy has implemented sweeping changes to Covid-19 vaccine guidelines, restricting recommendations to people aged 65 and older or those with risk factors. The new policy marks a dramatic shift from previous guidance that recommended vaccines for everyone over six months old.
The health secretary continues to promote controversial theories despite widespread scientific opposition. The i reports that Kennedy plans to announce his views on autism causes in the coming weeks, with expectations that he will blame vaccines despite overwhelming scientific consensus to the contrary.
Bipartisan criticism mounts
Lawmakers from both parties have condemned Kennedy's handling of the health agencies. The upheaval has raised serious concerns about the stability of America's public health infrastructure during a critical period.
The resignations represent one of the most significant leadership crises in the CDC's recent history. Public health experts warn that the institutional chaos could undermine the agency's ability to respond effectively to future health emergencies.
Sources used: "The Guardian", "The i", "Channel4" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
